Amazon

The Amazon River stretches an extraordinary 4000 miles or more from the Atlantic coast all the way to the Andes. More than one third of all the world's species live in the Amazon Rainforest.

When you take an Amazon holiday, you will be amazed by the options available.

The river is navigable by substantial cruise ships all the way to Manaus, the colonial city which sprang up when the rubber trade was at its height. Visitors to Manaus are intrigued by the magnificent Opera House, and also like to visit the confluence of the dark-coloured Rio Negro and the main stream of the Amazon.

Smaller ships cruise onwards as far as Iquitos. Beyond Iquitos, smaller vessels explore even further off the beaten track for a true jungle experience.

Holidays in the Amazon could take you into Brazil, Ecuador or Peru, where you can stay in lodges in the Amazon basin, trek in the jungle, or explore uncharted tributaries.

Upper Amazon Adventure

Day 1 - Fly London to Lima, Peru. Transfer to Costa del Sol Ramada for a one night stay
Day 2 - Fly Lima / Iquitos / Nauta. Transfer to Nauta and embark Delfin II
Day 3 - Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Aboard the skiffs and kayaks today you will explore The Pucate River, looking for parrots, macaws and monkeys
Day 4 - Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Explore the important junction where the Ucayali & Marañon Rivers merge to form the mighty Amazon River
Day 5 - Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Reach the junction of the El Dorado River looking out for dolphins and venture to find the giant Amazonian water lily Victoria Regia
Day 6 - Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Sail further into the heart of the Pacaya-Samiria Nature Reserve and depart by skiff up the Pacaya River to Yanayacu lagoon, home to red howler and capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths and numerous species of parrots
Day 7-8 - Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Continue exploring by kayak and skiff and stop at Puerto Miguel Village to learn about their culture, traditions and folklore
Day 9 - Nauta / Lima. Disembark Delfin II and transfer to Iquitos. Fly Iquitos to Lima, Peru. Visit the manatee rehabilitation centre before flying to Lima and transfer to Costa del Sol Ramada for a one night stay
Day 10 - Fly Lima, Peru to London
Day 11 - Arrive London

Highlights:

Visit the Sapuena Village who live on the riverbanks to learn about the life of the ribereños

Swim in the vicinity of the Amazonian pink river dolphins

Witness piranhas as they swim around the trees to feed on fallen fruit

Extend your trip:

Visit the mystical 'Land of the Incas' & follow the Inca trail to Machu Picchu

Combine your Amazon cruise with an expedition to the Galápagos Islands

10 Nights fly-cruise
Prices from

£5,990pp

Departures: Year round

This is not all we can offer. If you would like to discuss more ways to visit this destination give us a call. Contact us for more options.

Belem to Iquitos

Day 1 – Flight to Sao Paulo
Day 2 – Overnight Stay in Sao Paulo
Day 3 – Flight to Belem, Brazil
Day 4 – Day trip through the Breves Channels
Day 5-8 – Upstream to the lower Amazon with Zodiac landings
Day 9 – Manaus
Day 10-19 – Upstream to the upper Amazon with Zodiac landings
Day 20 – Iquitos, Peru flight to Lima
Day 21 – City tour
Day 21-22 – Flight back home

21 Nights cruise only
Prices from

£6,110pp

Departures: 22nd March 2015; 04th April 2015; 22nd March 2016; 6th April 2016

Iquitos to Belem

Day 1 – Flight to Lima
Day 2 – Flight to Iquitos, Peru
Day 3-10 – Upstream the upper Amazon with Zodiac landings
Day 11 – Manaus
Day 12-15 – Downstream the lower Amazon with Zodiac landings
Day 16 – Day trip through the Breves Channels
Day 17 – Belem, Brazil
Day 17-18 – Flight back home

8 Nights
Prices from

£5,990pp

Departures: Weekly departures year round

When to go:

There really is no bad time of the year to visit the Amazon, but high and low water seasons will vary the experiences that you will have. During either you will be sure to see spectacular wildlife and plant life.

During the 'high water' months of December to May the Amazon Rainforest becomes a massive body of water, allowing you to explore the flooded forest canopy by small boat and see wildlife that wouldn't be visible from the main course of the river.

Throughout the 'low water' months of June to November walking and hiking areas limited during 'high water' are exposed and as the water recedes you are more likely to see birds feasting on trapped fish. Pink dolphins are also likely to be seen in greater numbers during the 'low water' months.

What to pack:

You will need to pack waterproofs and a good pair of binoculars for spotting all the fantastic wildlife. With rain falling for approximately 250 days of the year, there will be some rain whichever season that you chose. With temperatures varying between 23° and 40° tropical lightweight clothes are advised all year round. Remember to come well equipped with camera and large memory card as you are unlikely to be able to get everything you need locally.

We’ve put together a Northern Lights guide for those hoping to tick this magical display off their bucket list. Plus details of Hurtigruten's 'Northern Lights Promise'... A FREE cruise if the lights don't appear!